What are we here for?

There are many people in this world who believe their purpose in life is to be a success. Money is their goal. Accumulating the most things is important.

Sarah LendtM.S. Ed.

There are many people in this world who believe their purpose in life is to be a success. Money is their goal. Accumulating the most things is important. Collecting the most toys. For some the goal is becoming the highest achiever. Becoming the most intelligent. Becoming the most beautiful. These are material goals ~ sometimes confused for true purpose.

Purpose is defined as “the reason for which anything is done, created, or exists” (dictionary.com). It is your aim, your reason for being. “Purpose is that deepest dimension within us —our central core or essence - where we have a profound sense of who we are, where we came from and where we’re going” (Power of Purpose, Leider).

Being authentic (true to yourself) will help you in finding your inner purpose. I read an article that encouraged people to write down what they thought their purpose was. Let your mind be free and brainstorming a list of thoughts for about 20 minutes. When something on that list really makes you cry, then that would be your true purpose. It’s worth a try, though purpose can be a lifelong reflection.

Everyone has a different purpose in life, based on the gifts and experiences they have been given. On a deeper level, relating to the whole of humanity, we can consider the purpose of our overall existence. What are we here for? I believe that this is something we all have in common ~ the purpose to help one another ~ to care for and about one another. Not just those we know or who are similar to us, but everyone.

What if, what we are really meant to do here in life is to help those who cross our paths? To positively influence the lives of those we meet? To love all people; protect our youth; provide for the elders and those without. What a peaceful, fulfilling and productive world it would be.

Someone recently told me, “Peace will come when we can focus on our similarities rather than our differences.”

It really makes sense. When I meet someone new and focus on how we are similar, I feel more connected and interested in learning more from this person. If I focus on how we are different, it creates negative feelings, frustration and a sense of separation. Negativity separates people. It creates disconnect. Disconnect makes room for hostility. Of course we all have differences, but we are all similar in many ways too. We are all human beings. We are meant to be here. We have feelings. We are trying our best with the tools we’ve been given. We all need support. And the list goes on. (Please add some of your own ideas).

We are here to learn and grow from every encounter. When we take time to understand our purpose in life and offer respect for the purpose of others ~ frustration and fear dwindle and nonviolence thrives! Let’s do all we can to make our environment a peaceful one!